Parents gift a new world to their children by admitting them in a play school or a nursery. Choosing the right playschool for your child can be a difficult task. Here are a few guidelines for introducing your little wonder to the new world.

A playschool is your child's first brush with academic life. Most children go to a playschool when they are two or three years of age. In a playschool, your child will first exhibit his learning abilities. He will also gain first hand to interact with other children as well as working in a group.

Nowadays, a whole host of playschools have sprung up. Most of them have fancy names and boast of a variety of activities designed to enhance your child's intelligence. However, before you decide on which playschool to send your child to, it is better to visit the nursery and see how their classes are conducted. This will give you a good idea of the quality of education your child is likely to receive.

Role of a Playschool

As its name implies, a playschool is a school where children learn through play. A playschool is not only about imparting education to a child. A good playschool will also improve your child's self-esteem, encourage him to become more independent, and help him find out what he is good at. At this age, your child is extremely curious. He wants to know about everything around him. His playschool will contribute to his intellectual as well as emotional growth.

What to Look for

Here are some signs to look for in a playschool, nursery or a pre-school

• Proper stimulation: In a playschool, a child should never be forced to sit quietly for long periods. This is different from 'rest time', which is part of the school timetable. At other times, a child should be working with objects or playing with other children. If a child is wandering aimlessly about the room, it means he is not being stimulated to use his abilities.
  
  
• Variety of activities: In any playschool, a child must have access to a variety of activities. Some of these are building blocks, Lego sets, picture books, art materials, puzzles, etc. In addition, children need not play with the same toys at one time. A playschool must allow a child some freedom to choose when and what toys they would like to play with.
  
  
• Individual and group activities: During the day, a teacher should not work only with the entire class. There should be activities with smaller groups of children. Each child must also get to spend quality time with the teacher. Only then can a teacher assess each student's progress to see how much he is actually learning.
  
  
• Learning based on experiences: A child can comprehend concepts that are already familiar to him. Therefore, teaching him alphabets and numbers should be based on his daily experiences. For example, numbers can be taught while handing out snacks.
  
  
• Time to explore: Everyday, a playschool should set aside some time for the child to decide what he wants to do. This time allows a child to pursue his own interests and identify his strengths. In good weather conditions, the playschool should allow the children to spend some time outdoors. This allows them to get some physical activity as well.
  
  
• Flexible learning programs: A good playschool will always recognise that each child is different. The teachers should be able to determine which children are ahead of their peers as well as those who are falling behind. Accordingly, the teacher will then give the child personalised attention. This is especially important for those children who are having trouble coping with the syllabus.